Drugs, Alcohol and Sexual Violence:

They Never Mix

According to research, 50% of sexual assaults occur when a person is intoxicated. The use of any type of drug and/or alcohol lowers or inhibits a person’s judgment or resistance to certain behaviors. Alcohol and drug use can cause a person to misread body language or cause a person to act in a way that they would not normally act in a social situation. When a person is under the influence of drugs and alcohol they may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Remember, it is rape if:

You cannot understand that a person is trying to tell you “No”.

You do not stop and listen when a person is saying “No”.

The person you are with does not have the capabilities because they have been inhibited by drugs or alcohol to say “No” (Drug Facilitated Assault, 2009).

Here are some facts you need to know about the substances most commonly used to inhibit or influence a person's behaviors:

Drinking

When drinking with others it is important to keep the following points in mind:

Always arrive and leave any social gathering with other people.

Never leave a drink unattended and always keep your drink covered while socializing at an event.

Keep track of the amount of alcohol you are consuming.

A person’s mood can affect how they may act after consuming alcohol.

Alert a friend or seek medical attention if you become very tired suddenly and/or feel a sudden onset of drunkenness that is not warranted from a large amount of alcohol consumption.